Automatic record changer



Aug. 31, 1943. v. BUTLER 2,328,052

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 31, 1943. v. BUTLER 2,328,052

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 31, 1943. v. BUTLER AUTOMATIC RECORDfiI-IANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 31, 1943.

v. BUTLER 2,328,052 AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 499 r 204 220 201 p five/2% 0 M I O 203 flazW/z jaz /er w JW Z? Aug. 31, 1943. v. BUTLER AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. {31, 1943. v, BUTLER 2,328,052

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER Filed April 22, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Au 31, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 22, 1940, Serial No. 330,819

'1 Claims. (01. 274- This invention relates generally to recordchanging means for a sound-reproducing machine and in particular to, a record-changer adapted to automatically change a plurality of records in succession.

In the automatic record changers of the prior art, in which a plurality of unplayed records of disc type are stacked in a position above the turntable, a change of records is usually accomplished by mechanism arranged at thecircumference of the record being played and operable to be slipped or positioned between the recordto be released for positioning on the turntable and the records remaining in the. stack. The satisfactory operation of the releasing mechanism'is dependent upon the stacked records being in horizontal alignment at their circumference, to provide for the positioning of the record-releasrecords which are sufllclently flat or of a suitable,

thickness to be satisfactorily accommodated by the record changing mechanism. The record changers of the prior art, therefore, are generally unreliable in operation. 7 I

Furthermore, the record changers of the prior art usually require a rather complicated structure adjacent the circumference of the turntable, for the storage of records and for the shifting of the stored records into a playing position on the turntable. Considerable additional space, apart from that needed for the reproduction mechanism, is thus. required within the sound reproducing machine to accommodate the record changing apparatus, whereby the cost and bulk of the machine is unduly-increased. Also, these complicated record-changing structures are generally clumsy looking and detract from the appearance of the sound-reproducing machine, particularly those machines in which the turntable is visible at all times.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved automatic record-changer for a sound reproducing machine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automatic record changer in which the mechanism for releasinga record for playing position on the turntable is adapted to engage the record at the central aperture formed therein to provide for reliability or operation inthe changing of both warped and flat records.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic record changer which is of compact and rugged construction, comprised of a minimum of parts requiring adjustment, and which is readily adapted for use with sound-reproducing machines employing either ten inch or twelve inch records.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a record changer inwhich records successively dropped into a playing position on the turntable canall be removed at one time from the turntable.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a record changer adapted for use with either ten inch or twelve inch records, in which a sup ort for supporting the edges of unplayed records stacked above the turntable is adapted to automatically adjust the operation of the tone arm in correspondence with th size of the records be ng played. p

A feature of this invention is found'in the provision of a record changer in which only a combination of stationary supports for supporting a stack of records above the turntable are visible .on' the face of the phonograph or the like, the means for successively releasing the records to a playing position on the turntable being assembled within one of the stationary supports and operable through such support to engage the record to be released at the central aperture formed therein, to in all provide an automatic record changer which is positive in operation, neat in appearance, and of a very simple construction. 40

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

F18. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the arrangement of the A driving system for the automatic record changer;

Fi 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the turntable spindle showing the record releasing mechanism assembled therein;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. 2 showing the releasing mechanism in changed position; a

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section as-seen on line 4-4 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a sectionalview taken approximately along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is afragmentar'y" sectional view taken on line 66 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6A is an electrical diagram showing the control circuit for the record releasing mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line '|I in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. 7 showing the parts thereof in a changed position;

Fig. 9 is a developed view of the cam portion enclosed between the lines 9-9 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a view in perspective ,of a record retaining member; 1

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention showing the arrangement of the driving system for the record changer mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation taken on the line l2--|2 in Fig. 11; r

Fig. 13 is a. bottom elevation of Fig 11, showin the record changing mechanism, and

Fig. 14 is an elevational view as seen along the lines |4|4 in Figs. 11 and 13.

This invention contemplates the use of disc type records wherein the unplayed records are stacked in a supported position above the turntable of the phonograph or like machine, means being provided for successively releasing the lowermost or bottom record in the stack of unplayed records to provide for its falling into a playing position on the turntable. The invention contemplates further a combination of stationary supports with one of said supports being arranged at the circumference of the turntable and the other of said supports being arranged at the center of said turntable, the center support being provided with record releasing means which are completely retractable within such support and which are operable by cam means located below the turntable to effect a dropping of the lowermost record of the unplayed records from the center and edge supports into a playing position on the turntable. The cam means located below the turntable are operable to raise the tone arm from the record in playing position and to move the tone arm beyond the circumference of such record before actuating the-releasing means in the center support to drop the next successive record at the bottom of the stack of records in a playing position on the turntable. The invention is equally adaptable for use with either ten inch or twelve inch records and provides means for automatically adjusting the angular movement of the tone arm in correspondence with the size of the record on the turntable.-

There is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 the usual cabinet wall 20, turntable 2| and tone arm 22 for a phonograph or like machine. The turntable is driven by a low voltage induction motor 23 which is fioatingly supported in a suitable manner from the wall 20, the motor shaft being provided with'a pulley 24 which is in frictional v engagement with the turntable driving pulley 26 which in turn is in frictional engagement with the table rim 21. A shaft or spindle 28 is secured to the wall in an obvious manner by the clamping action of the shoulder 29 and nut 3| and rotatably supports the turntable, the hub portion of which includes a pulley 32 which is in driving connection with an idler pulley 33 through a flexible spring drive 34. The pulley 33 is mounted at the upper end of a counter shaft 36 which is rotatably supported in a bushing member 31, the member 31 being suitably secured in the wall 20 as by welding or like means. An idler pulley 38 is fastened to the lower end of thecounter shaft 36 by screw means such as 39, the pulley 39 being in driving connection with a pulley 4| which is rotatably mounted at one endof a stub shaft 42; the shaft 42 being mounted in the wall 20 by screw means 43 and the pulley 4| being maintained on the shaft 42 by screw means 44. The pulleys 33 and 38 act as reduction pulleys between the pulleys 32 and 4|; with the entire pulley system being in operation concurrently with an operation of the motor 23. A serrated flange 46 formed on the upper side of the pulley 4| provides for a driving engagement of the pulley 4| with an 1 operating cam 41 in a manner to be hereinafter fully described. The cam 41 is rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 42, the bearing assembly 48 between the cam 41 and pulley 4| allowing pulley 4| to rotate independently of the cam 41. The cam 41 (Figs. 4 and 5) is of multiple type and is formed with cam faces 49, 52 and 54, which are operatively associated with cam followers 5|, 53 and 56, respectively.

The movement of the cam follower 5| on cam 49 is adapted to provide for a lifting of the tone arm 22 from the turntable 2|, and specifically from arecord 51 which is supported in a playing position on the turntable. The follower 5| is of angular form and includes a straight portion 58 and a bent portion 59, the portion 59 being in clined upwardly into the tone arm 22. The straight portion 58 is slidably supported in a sleeve member 6 I, which in turn is rotatably supported in a bearing block or bushing 62. The

bushing 62 is formed with a shoulder 63 for seating on the wall or plate 20 and with a threaded extension 64 which projects through the plate 2|'|;v the tightening of the nut 66 about the extension 64 acting to hold the block 62 in a fixed position on the plate 20 in an obvious manner. Bent portion 59 is engageable with the upper side of the tone arm 22 which is pivotedat 61 to a supporting leg member 68 having an inwardly extending flange portion 69 formed at its lower end.- The upper end of the sleeve 6| is formed with an outwardly extending flange or lip H which is adapted for engagement withthe flange portion 69 as by welding or like means. It is thus seen that any angular or rotational movement of the sleeve 6| effects a corresponding angular movement of the tone arm 22 through the leg member 68.

The lower end of the sleeve 6| projects beyond the threaded extension 64 of the bushing 62,

to provide for the mounting at such end of a rocker arm 12, the arm and sleeve being held together in frictional engagement by means of a holding screw 13 or like means. The free end of the arm 12 (Fig. 4) is pivotally connected at 74 in the end portion 16 of a selector link or lever arm 11, the end "portion 16 being of sumcient width to also provide for the rotatable mounting therein of the cam follower 53 at a distance from the pivotal connection I4. Angular movement of the rocker arm 12 and hence of the sleeve 6| and tone arm 22, is effected by the movement of the cam follower 53 on the cam face 52, the follower 53 being guided in its movement by the groove 55. A longitudinally extending slot 19 formed in the end 18 of the lever arm 11 is adapted to slidingly receive therein a pin "lector disc 92.

member u which a ms in a flat plate or se- The disc 92 is mounted at the lower end of a shaft-99 as by welding or like means, the shaft 99 beingrotatablysupported in a supporting stand or shaft 94 for the edge of a stack of records 99; which are located vertically above the turntable 2i (Figs. 5 and 6). The stand 94 is adapted for seating on the cabinet plate 29 and is formed with a threaded extension 91 which extends through the plate 29, the stand 94 being secured to the plate 29 by a tightening of the nut 99 on the threaded extension 91. The upper end of the shaft 99 is pin connected .at P' to a 'supporting platform or shelf 99 for the records, the shelf 99 being rotatably supported on the upper end of the stand member 94. The records 99 are pressed downwardly -on the shelf 99 by means of a retaining clamp 9| (Fig. 10) which is pivotally supported in a hollow post member 92 provided onthe platform 99, the clamp portions 94A being positioned in corresponding notches or slots 92A oppositely-formed in the topof the post 92 (Fig. 5) Retention of the clamp in the slots 92A is accomplished by a cap 923 which covers and frictionally engages the top of the post 92. Pressure on'the clamp for holding the records 99 in. stacked position is applied by a spring 99 which is connected at one end to the upset clamp portion 94, its opposite end 99 being connected to the shelf 99.

- As is shown best in Fig. 1 the shelf 99 is of substantially rectangular form and is arranged in an I offset position longitudinally relative to the stand member 94 to provide for unequal shelf lengths on opposite sides of the stand 94. When ten inch records are to be played the long length of the platform 99 supp rts the edge of the records, the platform being in the position indicated in dotdash lines; when twelve inch records are.tobe played the short length of the platform supports the edge of the records, the platform being in the position indicated in full lines, the two positions iecting finger I99 which is moved through the ing lever 95. When the record platform 99 is directly controlling in the angular movement or swing of, the tone arm 22, the movement of the rocker arm 12 downwardly to the left as seen in Fig. 4 providing for an initial starting position of the tone arm 22 on the record 51 to be played, at an increased distance out from the circumference of the turntable 2|; the increase in distance being schematically illustrated by the tone arm positions in Fig. 4; the dotted lines representing the starting position of the tone arm 22' when the platform 99 is positioned to accommodate twelve inch records and the dot-dash lines indicating the starting position of the tone arm 22 'when ten inch records are being played. It is thus seen that after adjustment of the platform 99 the operative engagement of the cam 92 with the roller 99 controls the angular movement or swing of the tone arm 22'and that the cam follower 9| as actuated by the cam 94 controls the lift of the tone arm 22, relative to the record being played.

The cam follower 99. which is operatively asso'ciatedwith the cam face 94 of the multiple cam 91, is ,rotatably mounted at one end of a crank arm 99 which is pivotally supported in a bearing member 91 suspended from the cabinet wall 29. The opposite end 99 of the crank arm 99 is provided with an adjusting screw 99 which is adapted to abuttingly engage the lower endof an operating member 'I9I, which is slidably supported axially of the spindle or shaft 29 (Fig. 5). The spindle 29 is formed with an offset upper portion I92 to form a shoulder I99, the shoulder I99 acting as a center support for the stack of records 99 which are centered about the portion I92. A groove or mill slot I99 (Figs. 2 and 3) is formed in the shaft 29 at a position substantially opposite from the shoulder I99, the groove being of a suiilcient depth to provide an opening I99 in the bottom thereof at the shoulder I93. A trigger or trip lever I91 is pivotally connected to the shaft 29 and is completely retractable within the groove I99 so that records from the stack 99 may be centered about the shaft without obstruction by the trip lever I91. The lower end of the lever is provided with an inclined side portion I99 which is adapted for slidable engagement with the upper end of the operating member I9I, to effect a pivotal movement of the lever I91. The upper end of the lever I91 is formed with a proopening I99 and over the shoulder I 93 on pivotal movement of the arm I91 by the member I9I, for a purpose to be later described. On retraction of the member I9I from its engagement with the side portion I99, as by the spring retained means I I I, (Fig. 5), the finger I99 is removed from the opening I99 by the spring II2 which is arranged in compression between the lever I91 and the bottom of the groove I94.

The pivotal movement of the trip lever I91 by the operating member I9I provides for an engagement of the finger I99 with the lowermost or bottom record 99' at the central aperture II9 formed therein. Since the finger I99 is of a length to extend completely over the shoulder I99, the record 99' is pushed clear of the shoulder I93 and into centering engagement about the lower portion of the spindle 29; the spindle being. of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the aperture I I9 in each of the records of the stack 99. Since the lever I91 is completely retractable'within the groove I,9| the record 99' is free to fall into a playing position on the turntable 2I.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 5; the shoulder or center support I99 is of a depth commensurate with the extent or length of the support given the edges of the records by the supporting platform 99. The movement of the lowermost rec- 0rd 96' from the shoulder I99 is thus sufficient to the spindle 28. The trigger or record releasing means I01 is thus operable to provide for a separation or release of a record 86' from a stack of unplayed records 86, by engaging the record at its immediate central portion at the aperture H3, which record-portion is least effected by warping and is the same for: all sized records. Since the finger I09 abuttingly engages the record 86 to provide for its separation from the remainder of the stack, the slight bending which might occur at the center of the record as a result of warpage, does not in any way decrease the operating efficiency of the record changing apparatus. The invention is thus equally adaptable i'or operation with warped records or with records of flat contour.

The pivotal movement of the releasing lever I01, as effected by the operating member IOI and the spring H2, is limited by the engagement of the shoulder or stop II4, formed at the top of the lever I01, with the walls of an eccentric cap member I I6 which is rotatably mounted about the offset spindle portion I02. The cap or aligning member H6 is of a diameter substantially equal to that of the main body portion of the spindle 28 and is formed with an offset bore M1 to provide for its eccentric mounting on the offset portion I02. "When a stack of records are to be located above the turntable 2| and about the portion I02, the cap member H6 is rotated until substantially its thinnest wall section is positioned at the shoulder I 03. the member H6 is substantially equal to the diameter of the apertures I I3, the placement of the records 86 about the cap member 6 provides for an aligning of the record stack on the shoulder I03 the cap acting also to prevent any shifting of the stack during the release therefrom of the bottom record. A successive feeding of the records on the shoulder I03 with each dropping of the bottom record 86' on the turntable 2| is assured by the downward pressure effected on the stack 86 by the retaining clamp 9|.

When all of the records have been played and it is desired to remove the records from the turntable 2|, the member H6 is rotated until substantially its thickest wall section is positioned at the shoulder I03. This position of the cap member H6, as illustrated in Fig. 5, provides for a shaft or spindle 28 which is in peripheral alignment over its entire length, the thick wall section of the cap member 6 being of a thickness commensurate to the depth of the shoulder I03 and the thin wall section of the cap member 6 being of a section commensuate with the degree of ofiset of the portion I02 at the side opposite from the shoulder I03. Since the pivotal lever I01 is completely retractable within the groove I04 the shaft 28 is unobstructed over its entire length so that all of the records positioned on the turntable 2| may be removed at onetime and in a stack from the spindle 28. It is understood, of course,'that prior to the lifting of the records from the spindle the shelf 89 of the edge support 84 is rotated out of its engaging'position with the records 86 and into a position with a longitudinal side facing the spindle 28. To facilitate the positioning of the cap member H6 to its operating positions on the portion I 02 there is provided a pin II8 irr the portion I 02 which is adapted to ride in a slot formed in the wall portion of the member H6, the ends of the slot II9 defining the limiting positions of rotational movement of the cap H6. A spring |2l arranged in compression between the top of the bore II1 Since the diameter of and the top of the offset portion I02 acts to hold the cap I I6 in itslimiting positions.

The operation of the above described recordchanging apparatus to efiect an automatic changing of the records in the stack 86, is obtained through an electrical control circuit which is closed in response to a predetermined position of the tone arm on the record, such as 51, supported in playing position on the turntable 2|. .The circuit, (Fig; 6A) is illustrated as being energized from a suitable electrical source through a transformer I25 and includes a main switch I22 for the motor 23, a solenoid I23 and a control switch I24A having switch arms I24, the control switch I 24A being controlling in the energization of the solenoid I23. A reject button or switch I20'is arranged in parallel with the control switch I24A to provide for a separate closing of the circuit. The multiple cam 41 and its associated cam followers are illustrated in Fig. 4 in the positions which they assume when the tone arm 22 is in a starting position on the record to be played; the record being indicated as a twelve inch record although .it is to be understood that the operation is the same for either a ten or a twelve inch record. As the tone arm 22 moves inwardly across the record 51 toward the spindle 28 the rocker arm 12 is moved inwardly toward the shaft 42, the follower 53 moving freely in a widened portion of the guiding groove 55 during the entire playing of the record, and the follower 5| being in engagement with the low portion of the cam face 49 (Figs. 4 and 9).

The rocker arm 12 is provided with a pair of spaced fingers I26 which are adapted to frictionally engage a switch plate I21 which is attached to the outer one of the contact arms I24. When the tone arm 22 is in partial traversal of the record 51 the fingers I26 frictionally engage the plate I21, but since the pressure exerted by the fingers I26 on the plate I21 is in a direction to maintain open the contact arms I24 the elec trical control circuit is also maintained open. However, when the record is completely traversed the tone arm is carried to an eccentric or spiral groove I28 (Fig. 1) at the center of the record, which provides for an oscillating movement of the tone arm. As the tone arm 22 is first moved outward in a direction away from the spindle 28 by its oscillating movement in the groove I28, the fingers I26. on rocker arm 12 are moved in a direction toward the shaft 42, which movement provides for a pulling inwardly of the plate I21 by the fingers I26 and a closing of the contact arms I24 to close the control circuit for the record changing apparatus.

The closing of the control circuit by the switch arms I24 provides for an energization of the solenoid I23 to actuate a pivotal armature I29. The armature I29 (Figs. 4 and 8), during the playing of a record 51 is pulled by a spring I34 into a position for supporting or holding a dog |3| above theserrated flange 46 of pulley 4|, as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 4, the dog |3I being 'pivotally connected to the cam 41 and adapted for engagement with one of the serrations in the serrated flange 46. Actuation of the armature I29 by the solenoid I23 toits position shown by the, dot-'dash lines in Fig. 4 releases the dog I 3| (Fig. '7) for engagement with the pulley 4|. Since the pulley 4| is in continuous rotation, rotation of the cam 41 is obtained immediately upon the engagement of the dog I3I with the pulley 4|. In the rotation of the cam 41 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 4,

the cam face 49 acts first to operate the cam follower ii to raise the tone arm 22 from the played record 51 prior to any outward swinging or angular t of the tone arm towards the circumference of the turntable 2|. After the arm 'posltion and completely of! the face of the record 51, which position is'indicated on the portion of the can face 52 between the lines I22, the cam follower 56 is riding on the high portion of the cam face 64, which is indicated in Fig. 9, to provide for an actuation of the operating member III by the crank arm 96, the member IOI acting to move the pivotal lever I41 in a manner to release the bottom record 86' of the stack of records 86 from its supported position on the shoulder or center support I93 and platform or edge support 8|.v The record 86' is thus dropped into -a playing position on the turntable '2I only after the tone arm 22 is completely removed from the i face of the record which has been played. After the record 86' is in a playing position on the turntable 2| the cam face 52 provides for a movement of the tone arm inwardly toward the circmnference of the record 86', the cam face 49 and cam follower 5| operating concurrently to provide for a lowering of the tone arm in operative engagement on the newly positioned rec 0rd.

The dog III is pivotally movable in an aperture I33 formed in the cam 41 in a position near the end of the effective working portion of the cam face 52. The rotation of the cam 41 effects a disengagement of the fingers I26 with the plate the shaft 42, whereby to open the control circuit 1 and to de-energize the solenoid I23 to release turntable 2|, the entire record changing operation being completed by a single complete revolution of the cam 41. It is to be noted also that the record changing apparatus does not at any time contact or engage the musical grooves in the records whereby to reduce'scratched records and consequently minimum In the event it is desired to change a record whichis only nartlyplayed there is provided a rejectbutton I28 (Hg. 1) which is operable to efiect an immediate energization of the solenoid I23 independently of the relative positions of the contact arms I24, the solenoid actuating the armature I29 to release the dog I3I for engagement with the pulley 4|. On rotation of the cam 41 the operation of the recordchanging mechanism I21, by moving the rocker arm 12 outwardly from changing of a single sized record only and is employed with the usual turntable I36, and tone arm I21 which are arranged on a wall or 'frame means I38 of'a phonograph or like machine; the tone arm being operatively associated with a sound boxe I39 (Fig. 13) having an amplifying tube I. The turntable I35 (P18. 11) is driven through friction gears I42 and I 43 by a low voltage induction motor I4 and is rotatably mounted about a spindle or record centering member I46, which is mounted in the wall I38; the hub portion I41 of theturntabie being provided with a pulley I48 which is in driving engagement with an idler pulley I49. The pulley I49 is mounted at the, upper end of a countersnaft I5I which is rotatabiy supported in a bearing block I52, the block I52 being suitably secured to the wall I36 as'by welding or like means.

An idler pulley I53 is provided at the lower end of the countershaft IiI, rocker arms I54 and I58, to be hereinafter fully described, being rotatably' mounted about the shaft I5I between ment with a pulley I51 which is adapted for a direct driving connection with operating cams I58 and I59, the pulley I51 being secured at the lower end of a countershaft I6I which is rotatably supported in a bearing block I62, which in turn is mounted in the wall I38. The cams I58 and I59 are rotatably mounted for concurrent rotation about the shaft iii and between the pulley I51 and bearing block I62. It is thus seen thatthe pulleys I49 and I53 mounted on the countershaft I5I act as reduction pulleys and that all ofthe pulleys I48, I49, I53 and I51 are continuously rotated during the operation of the motor I44,

The cam I58 is operable to provide ior a lifting of the tone arm I31 from the record I63 being played and is operatively associated with a cam follower I64 which is rotatably mounted at the end of a lever I66 formed on rocker arm I54. The lever I61 of arm I54 is connected to one end of an actuating rod I68 between adjusting collars I69, the opposite end of the rod being pivotally connected to arm I1I of hell crank I12, which is pivotally mounted in a supporting bracket I13 suspended from the frame member poor sound reproduction to a I38. The crank arm I14 is in slidable engagement with an operating rod I16, the lower end to the main body portion I84 of the tone arm so as to be pivotally movable independently of such main portion. The tone arm I31 is rotatably mounted on the pivot member I18 and is rotatably supported on aispacer or collar I85 the actuating rod I68, the crank arm I14 engaging the collar I11 to pull down the rod I16, which in turn pulls down the crank arm I19 to efiect a raising of the tone arm portion I83 by the crank arm I82.

The cam I59 is operable to provide for a swinging movement of the arm I31 outwardly from the center of the record I68, and for areleasing of the lowermost record I86 from the i records I86 stacked above the turntable I86, to

a playing position on the turntable. The cam I59 (Fig. 13) is operatively associated with rocker arm I56 which is formed with oppositely disposed levers I81 and I88, the lever I81 being provided with two free ends I89 and I9I, ver I88 is pivotally connected to a link I93, which in turn is pivotally connected to the tone arm I31. A pivotal movement or swing of the arm I31 is thus obtained by a movement of the rocker arm I56 by the cam I 59.

A cam follower I92, adapted for rolling engagement with the cam I59, is rotatably mounted at the end I89 of lever I81. The end I9I is provided with a retaining or supporting member I93 which is formed with a projecting ear I94 having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture in the ear I94 is adapted to receive one end of a connecting rod I96, such end being provided with an adjusting collar I91 which is adapted to abut tingly engage the ear I94. The opposite end of the rod I96 is pivotally connected to a bell crank I98, which in turn is pivotally connected to a bracket I99 suspended from the frame wall I38. (Fig. 12). The bell crank I98 i formed with three arms 20I, 202, and 203, which are arranged substantially 90 degrees apart. The am 203 is pivotally connected to an operating member or rod 204 which is slidably supported in the spindle orshaft I46, the upper end of rod 204 being adapted for slidable engagement with a releasing or trip lever 206. The shaft I46 is of. substantially tubular form and is provided at its upper end with an oifset'portion 201 to form a shoulder 208 for supporting the center of the stack of records I86. The lever 206 is pivotally connected to the shaft I46 at the portion201 which is suitably slotted to receive the lever 206 axially of the shaft I46, the lever 206 being completely retractable within the shaft I46. The lever 206 is provided with a projecting finger 209 which is adapt- 50 ed to be moved over the shoulder portion 208.

the finger being of a length commensurate with the depth of the shoulder 208. Thus upon an upward movement of the rod 204 into sliding engagement with the lower end of the releasing lever 206, the finger 209 enga es the bottom record I86, at the central aperture 2I0 formed therein, and pushes the record I86 completely clear of the shoulder 208 for centering engagement or alignment with that portion of the shaft I 46 below the shoulder 208. Since the shaft I46 is entirely unobstructed over its length below the shoulder 208 the record I86 is permitted to fall into a playing position on the turntable I86.

The edge support 2 for the stack of records edge of the records I86 by the shelf 2I3 is of an extent corresponding to the depth of the shoulder 208 so that when the record I86 is kicked or pushed clear of the shoulder 208 by the releasinglever 206, the record I86. will also be entirely clear or separated from the platform The le- 15 2I8. The lever 208 thus operates to effect a concurrent separation of the record I88 from its center support at 208 and its edge support at the platform 2I8. Itis seen, therefore, that a move- 5 ment of the lever I81 of rocker arm I56 in a direction outwardly from the shaft I8I effects a movement of the lever I96 toward the right, as shown in Fig. 12, which in turn provides for an upward movement of the operating rod 204 into sliding engagement-with the lever 206 and an engagement between thefinger 208and the lowermost record I86, whereby to drop the record I86 into a playing position on the turntable I36. The rod 204 is moved out of sliding engagement with the lever 206 by the spring 2I6 which is, attached at one end to the crank arm 202 and at its other end (not shown) to a portion of the frame structure I88. The retraction of the arm 204 out of engaging position with the lever 206 0 is limited by the adjusting screw 220 which is into engagement with the bottom record I86 is limited by the stop member 2I5 formed at the shoulder 208. After disengagement of the rod 204 from the lever 206, the finger 209 is removed from the shoulder 208 by the action of the spring 2", which is arranged in compression between the lever 206 and the wall of the shaft portion 201, the return of the lever 206 to its starting position being limited by engagement of the lever with the wall portions 2 I 8.

The retaining member I93 at the end I9I of arm I 81 is also provided with control arms or pins. 22I and 222 which project outwardly therefrom for disposition on opposite sides of the pulley I51 and are adapted for selective contact with a dog or trip lever 223, which is pivotally connected to the pulley I51 at an aperture 224 formed in the pulley face. oppositely extending fingers 226, 221care arranged at opposite ends of the dog hub member 228, the finger 221 being adapted for abutting engagement with a depending ear 229 formed on the lower side of the cam member I59, and'the finger 226 being positioned for selective engagement with the arms 22I and 222, to control the engagement of the finger 221 with the ear member 229. The arm 22I is of straight form and relatively short and is adapted to contact or engage the upper side of the finger 226 on a movement of the lever I81 inwardly to-v ward the shaft I6I. The arm 222 is relatively long and of substantially U-shaped configuration, the arm end 23I being adapted to engage the lower side of the finger 226 on a movement of the lever I81 outwardly from the shaft I6I, the dog 228 during the normal playing of a record I63 passing within the U-shape of arm 222 and out of engagement with the arm 22I and end 23I of arm 222.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 11 to 14, is best understood from Fig. 13. At

the start of playing a record I63, with the tone 2 arm I31 positioned near the circumference of such record, the dog 223 is in an unengaged position with the ear member 229 and out of engaging contact with arms 22I and 222. The cams I58 and I59 are thusv in a neutral position with the cam portion 225 of cam I59 near the roller I92 and the cam portion 230 of cam I58 near the roller I64, the rollers I64 and I92 being relatively free of their respective cams to permit a free movement of the tone arm in its traverse of the record I53. As the tone arm I31 approaches the center'of the record I53 the rocker arm I58 is actuated by the tone am, through the lever I93,

- to move the lever I81 inwardly toward the shaft I 8|. The inward movement of the lever I81 in turn moves cam follower I92 in toward the low face 225A of the cam I59, and the controlling arms HI and 222 inwardly over opposite faces of the pulley I51. During the playing of a record, therefore, the cams I58 and I59 are not rotated and the rocker arm I58 is moved relative to the cam I59 by movement of the tone arm I31 across the record I53. When playing of the record I53 is completed the tone arm is carried toward the center of the record by the usual spiral or eccentric groove 232 (Fig. 11), which movement of the tone arm I31 acts to provide for an engagement of control arm or pin 22I with the dog finger 225 to move the dog finger 221 into engagement with the cam car 229. Immediately upon engagement of the finger 221 with the ear 229 the cams I58 and I59 are set into a counterclockwise rotation as viewed in Fig. 13, the cams I58 and I59 and their associated rocker arms I54 and I55, respectively, being shown in the positions which they assume at the start of operation of the record-changing apparatus.

In the sequence of operation of the recordchanging apparatus, the cam I58 operates first to provide for a raising of the tone arm I31 from such as to maintain the tone arm I31 in a raised position from the record I53 during substantially the entire operation of the record-changing mechanism. After the tone arm I31 has been been lifted from the record I53 the cam I59 operates to move the tone arm outwardly from the spindle I45 toward the circumference of the record I53, this action continuing until the tone arm is entirely clear of the record, this position of the arm occurring when the cam portion included between the lines 235 is in engagement with the cam follower I92; which cam portion represents the high side or face of the cam I59. As this portion of the cam engages the cam follower I92, engagement occurs between the collar I91 and the ear I94 to provide for an actuation of the operating arm 294 to operate the record release lever 295 in the manner previously fully described. The record I85, therefore, is dropped into a playing position on the record I53 only, after the arm I31 is completely clear of the face of the record I53. With the released record in a playing position, the tone arm is moved inwardly to the circumference of the record concurrently with a lowering thereof into operative engagement with such record by the cam I58. This inward movement of the tone arm I31 to its starting positionfor playing the record is accomplished by the action of the spring 2 I on the pivoted bell crank I98. By virtueof the rod I96 being pivotally connected at one end of the arm 292 of the bell crank and at its opposite end to the end I9I of the lever I81, the spring 2I5 serves to pull the cam follower I92 at the lever end I89,

inwardly toward the shaft I5I and into following portion 23I of arm 222 into an engaging position with the lower side of the tripping finger 225; Thus when the record-changing operation is completed and the dog 223 is returned substantially to its initial starting position, the finger 225 engages the portion 23I of pin 222 to disengage finger 221 from the cam car 229, whereby to stop the rotation of the cams I58 and I59; The cams I59 and I59 are thus returnedto their neutral positions and the record-changing mechanism is conditioned for the playing ofga new record; the record changing operation being accomplished during substantially one complete revolution of the cams I58 and I59. Since the pivotal movement of the bell crank I98 by the spring H5 is limited by the adjusting screw 229, the cam follower I92, when the cam I59 is in its neutral position, is retained in a floating position out of engagement with the cam I59 and between the cam portions 225 and 225A. The lever I91, therefore, is free to be moved inwardly toward the cam portion 225A by the transverse of the tone arm I31 across the record being played, the bell crank I98 remaining in its stop position because of the slidable connection of the rod I withthe ear I94 on member I 93. Thus,

on completion of a record, the follower I92 is adjacent the cam portion 225A, so that the rocker arm I55 is actuated substantially immediately on a starting of rotation of the cam I59.

The invention is thus seen to provide for a record changing mechanism for a phonograph or like machine, which is of simple construction, positive in operation, readily adaptable for the accommodation of either ten or twelve inch records, and which consists of but few parts requiri-ng adjustment. The mechanism is substantially completely located below the turntable and out of sight to provide for a neat appearance of the playing machine. The stationary turntable spindle is adapted to provide a center support 7 for the plurality of records stacked above the turntable and is provided with means located on the inside thereof which are operable to effect a successive release of the stacked records into a playing position on the turntable. The release of successive records by engagement of the releasing mechanism with the center portion of the record rather than the circumference thereof, provides-for a positive operation of the releasing mechanism for warped records as well as for substantially flat records. The provision of an eccentric cap member rotatably mounted on th offset top portion of the turntabl spindle provides for a positive alignment of the stacked records on the center support so that successive records are similarly handled by the tripping or releasing lever which is located within the turntable spindle. The rotation of the eccentric means to provide a spindle which is in peripheral alignment over its entire length provides for an unobstructed removal at onetime of a complete stack of records from the tumtable.

It is to be understood that only preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein and that modifications and alterations in the invention can be made which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a sound reproducing machine adapted to play a plurality of disc record-s in succession having a rotary turntable and a plurality of unplayed records stacked above said turntable, the combination of a stationary spindle extending upwardly from a point below the top surface of said turntable, said spindle having an off-set upper portion forming a shoulder thereon at the bottom of said ofi-set portion and being hollow below the shoulder, thevunplayed records being stacked about said ofi-set portion with said shoulder acting as a center support for said stack of records, movable means having a body portion within said spindle and an ejector portion thereon movable with reference to the shoulder to move the lowermost record of said stack of records oil of said shoulder for centering engagement about the spindle below said shoulder so that said record drops into a playing position on said turntable, means operatively connected to said body portion at the lower end thereof to move the ejector portion outwardly to drop a record, and means mounting said off-set portion above said supporting shoulder, and said offset portion being rotatable to a position in align- .ment with the spindle below said shoulder so that the stack of records after playing may all be removed simultaneously from said turntable upwardly past the shoulder, the ejector portion, and the off-set portion.

2. The combination with a rotary turntable for a sound reproducing machine, of a centering unit stationary relative to said turntable and extending upwardly from a position below the top surface thereof, said centering unit including a bottom portion extending upwardly from said turntable and an eccentric rotary portion at the top, with a shoulder on said bottom portion intermediate said bottom portion and the eccentric portion, means on said bottom portion supporting the eccentric portion for rotation into and out of axial alignment with said bottom portion, said eccentric portion when out of axial alignment with said bottom portion being adapted to center a stack of records thereon for support on said shoulder, said eccentric portion being rotatable to a position of axial alignment with the bottom portion to cover said shoulder so that the stack of played records can be moved at one time upwardly over the bottom portion and said eccentric portion for complete renewal from said centering unit.

3. The combination with a rotary turntable for a sound reproducing machine, of means for supporting a plurality of records above said turntable and guiding'said records collectively or individually to and from said turntable, said means including a stationary centering member extending upwardly from a point below the top surface of the turntable having a bottom portion in vertical alignment with the axial center of said turntable and a top portion off-set from said bottom portion and a horizontal shoulder on said bottom portion intermediate said top and bottom portion, a sleeve movably mounted on said off-set portion, means on said ofi-set' portion mounting said sleeve for movement into and out of substantially peripheral alignment with said bottom portion, said supporting means also including a stationary support spaced radially from said centering member having a ledge adjacent the top thereof, with said centering member shoulder and said support ledge supporting a plurality of records thereon when said sleeve is out of peripheral alignment with said bottom portion, and means individually engaging each of said stacked records in succession and moving the engaged record from said shoulder and said ledge so that it will drop to said turntable while guided by said bottom portion.

4. The combination with a rotary turntable for a sound reproducing machine, of means for supporting a plurality of records above said turntable and guiding said records collectively or individually to and from said turntable, said means including a stationary member centered relative to said turntable and extending upwardly,

from a point below the top surface thereof, said member having an olT-set top portion of reduced section and a shoulder at the bottom of said top portion, said records being positioned about the top portion with the lowermost record supported directly on said shoulder, an eccentric member rotatably mounted on said top portion and normally positioned out of peripheral alignment with the bottom portionof said stationary member to center said records for support on said shoulder, and means for engaging in succession the lowermost one of said records and moving the engaged record from said shoulder so that it will drop about said bottom portion into a playing position on said turntable, with said records being removable in a stacked relation from said turntable when said eccentric member is rotated into peripheral alignment with said bottom portion.

5. The combination with a rotary turntable for record playing apparatus, of means for supporting a plurality of records above said turntable .and dropping the same individually thereon including a stationary hollow spindle at the center of the turntable extending upwardly from a point below the top surface thereof, said spindle having an off-set portion of reduced diameter at the top with a shoulder at the bottom of said oil-set portion, said records being positioned about said oif-set portion with the lowermost record supported directly on said shoulder, an eccentric sleeve rotatably mounted on said offset portion and above said shoulder for aligning said records into a supported position on said shoulder, said sleeve and bottom portion of the spindle being of substantially equal diameters, a pivoted ejector lever completely retractable'within said spindle, axis means on said spindle below the shoulder pivotally supporting said lever, said lever having an ejector portion pivotally movable outwardly from said spindle and over said shoulder, said lever in its retracted position being in alignment with said eccentric sleeve to permit movement of said records downwardly on said shoulder, reciprocal means within said spindle extending upwardly from below the turntable engaging said lever and pivotally moving said ejector portion over said shoulder to push the lowermost record laterally therefrom so that it drops about the bottom of the spindle into a playing position on the turntable, and means below said turntable operatively connected with said reciprocal means to reciprocate the latter and move said lever, said eccentric sleeve being rotatable into peripheral alignment with the bottom of the spindle to cover said shoulder so that all of the records dropped on the turntable can be removed at one time therefrom by lifting them upwardly over the spindle.

6. The combination with a rotary turntable for a sound reproducing machine, of a centering unit for a stack of records stationary relative to said turntable and supported below the top surface of said turntable, said centering unit including a hollow bottom portion extending upwardly from said turntable, an eccentric portion at the top maintained at all times as a unit with said bottom portion, with a record support shoulder at the top of said bottom portion and below the eccentric portion of said centering unit, record ejector means having a portion movable within the hollow bottom portion and a portion at l the support shoulder for ejecting records thereupwardly from said turntable over said two portions for complete removal from the centering unit. and with said eccentric portion and bottom portion normally being stationary relative to one another during the rotation of the tumtable in the reproduction of a record.

7. In record changer apparatus having a tumtable, a tone arm adapted to play records on said turntable of at least two diiferent diameters, and said apparatus adapted to support records of such different diameters at a center support position and an adjustable edge support position,

said apparatus including in combination a center support means including a hollow post maintained normally in the same position and having a shelf thereon intermediate the top and bottom thereof, an edge support means including a stationary hollow post spaced from said center sup'-. port means and having a shelf for edge support of the records, and ejector means on one of said support means having a movable ejector portion above the shelf of said support means and operating means within the hollow post acting on said ejector means for operating the same, with said operating means being movable on a line substantially centrally and axially of said post to operate said ejector means, with said ejector means being movable to move a record from both shelves to a position where it will drop over the center post to the turntable, with said edge support means including a shaft extending through said hollow post having said edge support shelf at one end thereof adapted to be manually pivoted to at least two diiferent positions, and p0- sitioning means at the other end adapted to be releasably positioned upon manual movement of said shelf to a position corresponding to the diameter of the record being accommodated.

VAUGHN BUTLER. 

